Historically, Steelers’ defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau has used three different personnel groupings for his usually successful defense.

Most commonly employed is his base 3-4-4 defense, where the starting outside linebackers and safety Troy Polamalu offer great maneuverability amongst current players. Next would be when LeBeau brings in a nickel back (third cornerback – William Gay this year) and takes the nose tackle off the field. In this scenario, he often brings both OLBs up to the line, essentially as defensive ends.

However, the third scheme and the one used less frequently over the years is a dime alignment, which includes six defensive backs. In the dime, the Steelers generally brought in a third safety (Tyrone Carter in recent years) to go with three corners.

In addition to the nose tackle, the dime called for an inside linebacker to go to the sidelines. Last year it was frustrating that LeBeau preferred to leave aging James Farrior on the field and often in pass coverage when the team used the dime, while opting to take Lawrence Timmons off the field even though he is the fastest Steelers’ linebacker.

It appears LeBeau has tweaked his scheme in 2010, as the Steelers have yet to go with a dime defense for one play this season. One reason may be the team’s first two opponents, the Falcons and Titans, go with more pro-style offenses and rarely send four receivers on the field.

However, a more likely justification is because LeBeau simply does not want to take Timmons off the field, figuring the team is better served with Timmons remaining in the game than pulling him for safety Will Allen or Ryan Mundy.

Through two games it is easy to see why LeBeau has abandoned the dime this fall. Timmons leads the team with 26 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. Next on that list is James Harrison with 20 and 14, respectively.

Historically, tackles were not an official stat kept by the NFL. Instead, teams often released their own tackle statistics and those figures would vary a great deal by team.

Among the Steelers, Farrior has been the team’s best tackler in recent years, leading the team in total tackles in five of the previous six seasons. His career-high was 133 total tackles to lead the Super Bowl championship teams of 2008, including 87 solo stops.

However, the Steelers’ greatest tackler ever was legendary Jack Lambert, who had the benefit of playing middle linebacker in a base 4-3 scheme specifically designed to have the middle linebacker be the primarily tackler.

Moreover, Lambert had the benefits of having one of the two greatest 4-3 defensive lines ever in front of him in the legendary Steel Curtain of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and playing in a more predictable, conservative, run-oriented era.

While I could not find individual, year-by-year career tackle statistics for Lambert, he reportedly averaged 146 total tackles per season over the first 10 years of his 11-year career, a period that saw him selected to nine Pro Bowls.

In contrast, Timmons is on pace to tally 208 total tackles, with 168 solo stops this season. Now, it should be noted that some of Lambert’s best seasons (1974-77) consisted of 14-game regular-season schedules compared to the 16-game schedules played since 1978. However, the league could move to an 18-game schedule next year and still no Steelers defender would be likely record 200+ tackles in a season.

Thus, not only is Timmons – a first-round pick in 2007 – easily playing the best football of his up-and-down Steelers career, but right now, he is actually playing as well as any Steelers’ inside linebacker ever through the first two games of the season.

Historically, Steelers’ defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau has used three different personnel groupings for his usually successful defense.

Most commonly employed is his base 3-4-4 defense, where the starting outside linebackers and safety Troy Polamalu offer great maneuverability amongst current players. Next would be when LeBeau brings in a nickel back (third cornerback – William Gay this year) and takes the nose tackle off the field. In this scenario, he often brings both OLBs up to the line, essentially as defensive ends.

However, the third scheme and the one used less frequently over the years is a dime alignment, which includes six defensive backs. In the dime, the Steelers generally brought in a third safety (Tyrone Carter in recent years) to go with three corners.

In addition to the nose tackle, the dime called for an inside linebacker to go to the sidelines. Last year it was frustrating that LeBeau preferred to leave aging James Farrior on the field and often in pass coverage when the team used the dime, while opting to take Lawrence Timmons off the field even though he is the fastest Steelers’ linebacker.

It appears LeBeau has tweaked his scheme in 2010, as the Steelers have yet to go with a dime defense for one play this season. One reason may be the team’s first two opponents, the Falcons and Titans, go with more pro-style offenses and rarely send four receivers on the field.

However, a more likely justification is because LeBeau simply does not want to take Timmons off the field, figuring the team is better served with Timmons remaining in the game than pulling him for safety Will Allen or Ryan Mundy.

Through two games it is easy to see why LeBeau has abandoned the dime this fall. Timmons leads the team with 26 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. Next on that list is James Harrison with 20 and 14, respectively.

Historically, tackles were not an official stat kept by the NFL. Instead, teams often released their own tackle statistics and those figures would vary a great deal by team.

Among the Steelers, Farrior has been the team’s best tackler in recent years, leading the team in total tackles in five of the previous six seasons. His career-high was 133 total tackles to lead the Super Bowl championship teams of 2008, including 87 solo stops.

However, the Steelers’ greatest tackler ever was legendary Jack Lambert, who had the benefit of playing middle linebacker in a base 4-3 scheme specifically designed to have the middle linebacker be the primarily tackler.

Moreover, Lambert had the benefits of having one of the two greatest 4-3 defensive lines ever in front of him in the legendary Steel Curtain of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and playing in a more predictable, conservative, run-oriented era.

While I could not find individual, year-by-year career tackle statistics for Lambert, he reportedly averaged 146 total tackles per season over the first 10 years of his 11-year career, a period that saw him selected to nine Pro Bowls.

In contrast, Timmons is on pace to tally 208 total tackles, with 168 solo stops this season. Now, it should be noted that some of Lambert’s best seasons (1974-77) consisted of 14-game regular-season schedules compared to the 16-game schedules played since 1978. However, the league could move to an 18-game schedule next year and still no Steelers defender would be likely record 200+ tackles in a season.

Thus, not only is Timmons – a first-round pick in 2007 – easily playing the best football of his up-and-down Steelers career, but right now, he is actually playing as well as any Steelers’ inside linebacker ever through the first two games of the season.

The dimeback does not HAVE to be a safety. I think Keenan Lewis is most likely to come and in play in the dime (if they need another DB). Until we face a team that actually goes 4 or 5 wide. Timmons will do just fine.

Historically, Steelers’ defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau has used three different personnel groupings for his usually successful defense.

Most commonly employed is his base 3-4-4 defense, where the starting outside linebackers and safety Troy Polamalu offer great maneuverability amongst current players. Next would be when LeBeau brings in a nickel back (third cornerback – William Gay this year) and takes the nose tackle off the field. In this scenario, he often brings both OLBs up to the line, essentially as defensive ends.

However, the third scheme and the one used less frequently over the years is a dime alignment, which includes six defensive backs. In the dime, the Steelers generally brought in a third safety (Tyrone Carter in recent years) to go with three corners.

In addition to the nose tackle, the dime called for an inside linebacker to go to the sidelines. Last year it was frustrating that LeBeau preferred to leave aging James Farrior on the field and often in pass coverage when the team used the dime, while opting to take Lawrence Timmons off the field even though he is the fastest Steelers’ linebacker.

It appears LeBeau has tweaked his scheme in 2010, as the Steelers have yet to go with a dime defense for one play this season. One reason may be the team’s first two opponents, the Falcons and Titans, go with more pro-style offenses and rarely send four receivers on the field.

However, a more likely justification is because LeBeau simply does not want to take Timmons off the field, figuring the team is better served with Timmons remaining in the game than pulling him for safety Will Allen or Ryan Mundy.

Through two games it is easy to see why LeBeau has abandoned the dime this fall. Timmons leads the team with 26 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. Next on that list is James Harrison with 20 and 14, respectively.

Historically, tackles were not an official stat kept by the NFL. Instead, teams often released their own tackle statistics and those figures would vary a great deal by team.

Among the Steelers, Farrior has been the team’s best tackler in recent years, leading the team in total tackles in five of the previous six seasons. His career-high was 133 total tackles to lead the Super Bowl championship teams of 2008, including 87 solo stops.

However, the Steelers’ greatest tackler ever was legendary Jack Lambert, who had the benefit of playing middle linebacker in a base 4-3 scheme specifically designed to have the middle linebacker be the primarily tackler.

Moreover, Lambert had the benefits of having one of the two greatest 4-3 defensive lines ever in front of him in the legendary Steel Curtain of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and playing in a more predictable, conservative, run-oriented era.

While I could not find individual, year-by-year career tackle statistics for Lambert, he reportedly averaged 146 total tackles per season over the first 10 years of his 11-year career, a period that saw him selected to nine Pro Bowls.

In contrast, Timmons is on pace to tally 208 total tackles, with 168 solo stops this season. Now, it should be noted that some of Lambert’s best seasons (1974-77) consisted of 14-game regular-season schedules compared to the 16-game schedules played since 1978. However, the league could move to an 18-game schedule next year and still no Steelers defender would be likely record 200+ tackles in a season.

Thus, not only is Timmons – a first-round pick in 2007 – easily playing the best football of his up-and-down Steelers career, but right now, he is actually playing as well as any Steelers’ inside linebacker ever through the first two games of the season.

The dimeback does not HAVE to be a safety. I think Keenan Lewis is most likely to come and in play in the dime (if they need another DB). Until we face a team that actually goes 4 or 5 wide. Timmons will do just fine.

Why not substitute Timmons for Farrior when facing teams that use 4 and 5 wide?

Historically, Steelers’ defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau has used three different personnel groupings for his usually successful defense.

Most commonly employed is his base 3-4-4 defense, where the starting outside linebackers and safety Troy Polamalu offer great maneuverability amongst current players. Next would be when LeBeau brings in a nickel back (third cornerback – William Gay this year) and takes the nose tackle off the field. In this scenario, he often brings both OLBs up to the line, essentially as defensive ends.

However, the third scheme and the one used less frequently over the years is a dime alignment, which includes six defensive backs. In the dime, the Steelers generally brought in a third safety (Tyrone Carter in recent years) to go with three corners.

In addition to the nose tackle, the dime called for an inside linebacker to go to the sidelines. Last year it was frustrating that LeBeau preferred to leave aging James Farrior on the field and often in pass coverage when the team used the dime, while opting to take Lawrence Timmons off the field even though he is the fastest Steelers’ linebacker.

It appears LeBeau has tweaked his scheme in 2010, as the Steelers have yet to go with a dime defense for one play this season. One reason may be the team’s first two opponents, the Falcons and Titans, go with more pro-style offenses and rarely send four receivers on the field.

However, a more likely justification is because LeBeau simply does not want to take Timmons off the field, figuring the team is better served with Timmons remaining in the game than pulling him for safety Will Allen or Ryan Mundy.

Through two games it is easy to see why LeBeau has abandoned the dime this fall. Timmons leads the team with 26 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. Next on that list is James Harrison with 20 and 14, respectively.

Historically, tackles were not an official stat kept by the NFL. Instead, teams often released their own tackle statistics and those figures would vary a great deal by team.

Among the Steelers, Farrior has been the team’s best tackler in recent years, leading the team in total tackles in five of the previous six seasons. His career-high was 133 total tackles to lead the Super Bowl championship teams of 2008, including 87 solo stops.

However, the Steelers’ greatest tackler ever was legendary Jack Lambert, who had the benefit of playing middle linebacker in a base 4-3 scheme specifically designed to have the middle linebacker be the primarily tackler.

Moreover, Lambert had the benefits of having one of the two greatest 4-3 defensive lines ever in front of him in the legendary Steel Curtain of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and playing in a more predictable, conservative, run-oriented era.

While I could not find individual, year-by-year career tackle statistics for Lambert, he reportedly averaged 146 total tackles per season over the first 10 years of his 11-year career, a period that saw him selected to nine Pro Bowls.

In contrast, Timmons is on pace to tally 208 total tackles, with 168 solo stops this season. Now, it should be noted that some of Lambert’s best seasons (1974-77) consisted of 14-game regular-season schedules compared to the 16-game schedules played since 1978. However, the league could move to an 18-game schedule next year and still no Steelers defender would be likely record 200+ tackles in a season.

Thus, not only is Timmons – a first-round pick in 2007 – easily playing the best football of his up-and-down Steelers career, but right now, he is actually playing as well as any Steelers’ inside linebacker ever through the first two games of the season.

I guess it will never change even if Timmons would make it to the HOF he'll always be something less than a good to great first round pick. I don't know if people want to see Tomlin's picks fail or if their favorite player was skipped for Timmons or what, but the writer produces a nice piece about Timmons and then has to throw that in, :wft

Yea, he's struggling with an up and down career. It seems to me that his production has increased each year that he has played, of course, I could be too obtuse to understand how base 10 numbers work. I really don't see up and down in his production.

Historically, Steelers’ defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau has used three different personnel groupings for his usually successful defense.

Most commonly employed is his base 3-4-4 defense, where the starting outside linebackers and safety Troy Polamalu offer great maneuverability amongst current players. Next would be when LeBeau brings in a nickel back (third cornerback – William Gay this year) and takes the nose tackle off the field. In this scenario, he often brings both OLBs up to the line, essentially as defensive ends.

However, the third scheme and the one used less frequently over the years is a dime alignment, which includes six defensive backs. In the dime, the Steelers generally brought in a third safety (Tyrone Carter in recent years) to go with three corners.

In addition to the nose tackle, the dime called for an inside linebacker to go to the sidelines. Last year it was frustrating that LeBeau preferred to leave aging James Farrior on the field and often in pass coverage when the team used the dime, while opting to take Lawrence Timmons off the field even though he is the fastest Steelers’ linebacker.

It appears LeBeau has tweaked his scheme in 2010, as the Steelers have yet to go with a dime defense for one play this season. One reason may be the team’s first two opponents, the Falcons and Titans, go with more pro-style offenses and rarely send four receivers on the field.

However, a more likely justification is because LeBeau simply does not want to take Timmons off the field, figuring the team is better served with Timmons remaining in the game than pulling him for safety Will Allen or Ryan Mundy.

Through two games it is easy to see why LeBeau has abandoned the dime this fall. Timmons leads the team with 26 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. Next on that list is James Harrison with 20 and 14, respectively.

Historically, tackles were not an official stat kept by the NFL. Instead, teams often released their own tackle statistics and those figures would vary a great deal by team.

Among the Steelers, Farrior has been the team’s best tackler in recent years, leading the team in total tackles in five of the previous six seasons. His career-high was 133 total tackles to lead the Super Bowl championship teams of 2008, including 87 solo stops.

However, the Steelers’ greatest tackler ever was legendary Jack Lambert, who had the benefit of playing middle linebacker in a base 4-3 scheme specifically designed to have the middle linebacker be the primarily tackler.

Moreover, Lambert had the benefits of having one of the two greatest 4-3 defensive lines ever in front of him in the legendary Steel Curtain of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and playing in a more predictable, conservative, run-oriented era.

While I could not find individual, year-by-year career tackle statistics for Lambert, he reportedly averaged 146 total tackles per season over the first 10 years of his 11-year career, a period that saw him selected to nine Pro Bowls.

In contrast, Timmons is on pace to tally 208 total tackles, with 168 solo stops this season. Now, it should be noted that some of Lambert’s best seasons (1974-77) consisted of 14-game regular-season schedules compared to the 16-game schedules played since 1978. However, the league could move to an 18-game schedule next year and still no Steelers defender would be likely record 200+ tackles in a season.

Thus, not only is Timmons – a first-round pick in 2007 – easily playing the best football of his up-and-down Steelers career, but right now, he is actually playing as well as any Steelers’ inside linebacker ever through the first two games of the season.

I guess it will never change even if Timmons would make it to the HOF he'll always be something less than a good to great first round pick. I don't know if people want to see Tomlin's picks fail or if their favorite player was skipped for Timmons or what, but the writer produces a nice piece about Timmons and then has to throw that in, :wft

Yea, he's struggling with an up and down career. It seems to me that his production has increased each year that he has played, of course, I could be too obtuse to understand how base 10 numbers work. I really don't see up and down in his production.

Pappy
He wasn’t a HOF player straight from the womb; for this transgression he should be banished to the either the CFL, the neutral zone with General Zod or Cleveland.

phillyesq

09-24-2010, 11:32 AM

Why not substitute Timmons for Farrior when facing teams that use 4 and 5 wide?

I wondered the same thing. Is Farrior still the guy with the receiver in his helmet on D? If so, that could be a possible explanation, but it seems to me that Timmons would be a better fit in the dime.

Discipline of Steel

09-24-2010, 05:56 PM

Timmons has become one of those players you dont take off the field. Potsy is kind of moving out of that role, so i think it will be Timmons when the dime first appears this year. Time to move the headset into Timmons helmet.

RuthlessBurgher

09-25-2010, 05:02 PM

Timmons has become one of those players you dont take off the field. Potsy is kind of moving out of that role, so i think it will be Timmons when the dime first appears this year. Time to move the headset into Timmons helmet.

Unfortunately, Timmons is too quiet to play that on-field leader type of role...he's more of a lead-by-example guy than someone who speaks up to his teammates...just a different personality. I think either Ryan Clark or LaMarr Woodley should wear the helmet with the green dot. Both are on the field in every package, and both seem to have a leadership edge to them. Troy is also too quiet, and he is also the wildcard in LeBeau's defense who plays based on what his own instincts tell him much of the time. You wouldn't want that guy to be responsible for making sure everyone else is lined up properly...just let Troy concentrate on watching the offense and doing what comes naturally.

aggiebones

09-25-2010, 05:56 PM

I only half paid attention to the article, but when I read up and down, I wonder WTF?
Maybe up too slow for some, but not a down year.
Weird thinking by some.
I've never really commented about the draft pick, so I don't have a dog in the fight. But I'm certainly pleased to have gained he and Woodley in that draft.